NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

FIFTH DAY -- December 3

PREPARATORY PRAYER

"A great sign appeared in Heaven: a Woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Apoc. 12:1)

"Come and hear, all ye who fear God, and I will tell you what great things the Lord hath done for my soul." (Ps. 65:16)

Let us celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Let us adore her Son, Christ our Lord!

Glory be to the Father…

Let us Pray

O God, Who in a wondrous manner didst preserve the Mother of Thine only-begotten Son from the taint of Original Sin in her Conception; grant, we beseech Thee, that strengthened by her prayers, and being made clean of heart, we may devoutly make this novena in her honor. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Hail Mary…

HYMN

Immaculate Mary, our hearts are on fire!

That title, so wondrous, fills all our desire!

CHORUS

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

FOR THE SPECIAL INTENTIONS OF THE NOVENA

Holy Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, we are assembled here today to show thee our veneration and love. We rejoice at the dignity and glory which our Lord has bestowed upon thee; we praise and glorify Him for having given us a Mother adorned with a most pure and tender Heart.

We consecrate to thee, O Virgin most spotless and Mother most dear, these nine days of prayer, and especially this day. We choose thee as our Mother, our Patroness, and our advocate with thy Divine Son, Jesus, now and forever. We consecrate to thee our soul and body; to thee we recommend all our wishes and desires, our sorrows and miseries, our whole life, and especially the end thereof. O, show thyself a Mother to us.

We recommend to thee the whole Catholic Church, our Bishop, all priests and religious, our parents, superiors, benefactors, relatives, friends, and enemies, and the souls of the faithful departed.

O Immaculate Virgin Mary, graciously hear our prayers, and receive the petitions which we unite with those of all the faithful on earth and of the angels and saints in Heaven. We commend especially to thee all of those souls, intentions, and petitions which have been commended to our prayers, or placed upon the altar, that they may be granted as they are in accord with the Divine Will, for the greater honor and glory of God, and the salvation of souls.

Intercede for us, O Immaculate Lady, and obtain for us that greatest of all graces: to be faithful to thee and thy Divine Son unto death, and after death, to obtain the happiness in Heaven of praising and thanking thee with all the angels and saints; and with them loving and adoring thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, for all eternity. Amen. Hail Mary...

V. O Mary, conceived without sin,

R. Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

HYMN

In grief and temptation, in joy and in pain,

We'll seek thee, our Mother, nor seek thee in vain.

CHORUS

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

DEDICATION TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Holy Mary, Mother of God, conceived without sin, ever-virgin, full of grace! I, thy unworthy child, choose thee this day for my Mother, my Protectress, and my Advocate. I firmly resolve never to forsake thee, and never to commit anything offensive to thy pure eyes and thy maternal affection. Therefore, O Mother full of grace, I beseech thee, through thy Immaculate Conception, to accept me as thy perpetual client and servant, and to assist me in all my undertakings. Forsake me not, especially in the hour of death. Amen. Hail Mary…

V. O Mary, conceived without sin,

R. Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

HYMN: For poor, sick, afflicted... Chorus

TOTA PULCHRA

Thou art all-fair, O Mary, and the original stain is not in Thee. Thou, the glory of Jerusalem, Thou the joy of Israel, Thou, the great honor of our people, Thou the advocate of sinners. O Mary, O Mary! Virgin most prudent, Mother most merciful, pray for us. Intercede for us with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

HYMN

We pray, dearest Mother, for those who now stray,

From Jesus and Mary on heresy's way.

CHORUS

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

ANTHEM

O stainless Mother of the Lord, while we thy glory chant,

A gracious ear to us accord and heavenly favor grant.

A sad inheritance we own; in guilt our lives begin;

Exempt from Adam's fall alone, thou never knewest sin.

Prone on the earth beneath thy heel the serpent's head remained;

Thou only dost to Heaven reveal an origin unstained.

Do thou, whose glory takes away the shame of Mother Eve,

Accept the tribute that we pay, and all our wants relieve.

From Satan's every dart and snare our weakened souls defend,

That so thy glory we may share, in joys that never end.

To Thee, O Jesus, glory meet, the Virgin Mary's Son,

To Father and to Paraclete be equal honor done. Amen.

V. Pray for us, O Immaculate Virgin,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

CONCLUDING PRAYER:

O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for Thy Son, we entreat Thee, Who didst preserve Her from all stain of sin by the Death of that same Son, foreseen by Thee, to grant that through her intercession we also may be made clean, and so may come unto Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.